Tactics matter

Posted onDecember 16, 2013

We are disappointed with the outcome of the vote by members of the American Studies Association to endorse an academic boycott against Israeli universities. It is clear that we must continue to press the Israeli government to end the policies that deny the Palestinian people economic, educational, and political justice. But tactics matter. As AFT President Randi Weingarten stated, “Cultural and intellectual exchanges between scholars and institutions are important—indeed necessary—bridges by which the twin goals of justice for the Palestinian people and security for the state of Israel can be reached. Closing off these avenues of engagement actually moves us away from reaching our shared goals for peace. [...] Palestinians need political, economic and educational justice, but we urge that the methods chosen rely on engagement, not isolation and division.”

AFT President Randi Weingarten on the National Council of the American Studies Association’s Decision to Endorse an Academic Boycott Against Israeli Universities and Other Israeli Institutions

Washington—Statement of AFT President Randi Weingarten on the National Council of the American Studies Association’s decision to endorse an academic boycott against Israeli universities and other Israeli institutions.

“The American Federation of Teachers strongly disagrees with the decision by the National Council of the American Studies Association (ASA) to endorse an academic boycott against Israeli universities and other Israeli institutions. There is no doubt that the plight of the Palestinian people—for example, the seizure of their land for illegal settlements and the constraints on their economic, political and social development—must be addressed, and the Israeli government must do more to redress these injustices. But academic boycotts, such as the one advocated by the Boycott, Disinvestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement, not only fly in the face of the principles of academic freedom that protect and enhance the integrity of scholarly work, but also stifle the intellectual and democratic engagements through which the solutions to our world’s most difficult problems spring.

“Cultural and intellectual exchanges between scholars and institutions are important—indeed necessary—bridges by which the twin goals of justice for the Palestinian people and security for the state of Israel can be reached. Closing off these avenues of engagement actually moves us away from reaching our shared goals for peace.

“Just as we supported the decision by the administration of Brooklyn College to allow a panel discussion between proponents for the BDS movement and the community earlier this year, we continue to encourage debate and discussion about this issue to ensure that the tactics we use to push for peace are consistent with our principles. This is important work, and it is work that can only occur when we insist on academic freedom for and ongoing, constructive engagement between all scholars and institutions, be they Palestinian, American or Israeli. Palestinians need political, economic and educational justice, but we urge that the methods chosen rely on engagement, not isolation and division. We strongly urge the members of the ASA to stand up for the principles of open engagement and academic freedom for all and reject this call for an academic boycott.”